Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Healthy?

Many of us have heard that the Mediterranean diet is one of the most recommended diets in the world to support a healthy diet and lifestyle, and this is largely due to its high olive oil content.

If you’re wondering why olive oil is so highly recommended for a healthy diet and how exactly it can help to boost our health, then keep reading.

In this article, we will explore the health benefits that olive oil has to offer, as well as how much is recommended daily. Read on to find out more.

Olive Oil Quality And Improving Health

Olive oil provides a host of health benefits, but it’s important to note that to get the most health benefits from olive oil, you need to be using high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

This is because this is olive oil in its purest form, without having gone through any processes or additives that could reduce the quality of the oil and the health benefits it could provide.

Though all types of olive oil are good for you, extra virgin olive oil is the most beneficial to your health as it is highest in antioxidants and vitamins.

Reducing Risk Of Heart Disease

One of the main reasons it is believed that Mediterranean countries have low rates of heart disease is due to their high use of olive oil in their diet and cooking.

Olive oil contains high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, known for lowering cholesterol, specifically the unhealthy form of cholesterol known as LDL.

It also helps to improve the health of the blood vessels, giving your vascular health a boost.

To get the most benefits from olive oil for reducing heart disease, you should combine it with a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise.

Reducing The Risk Of Stroke

Olive oil is known to reduce platelet activation, which is the cause of blood clots developing in the body. Simply put, olive oil can act as a natural blood thinner.

Due to this, the risk of stroke can be reduced by consuming more extra virgin olive oil in your diet, alongside other healthy lifestyle choices.

Cancer-Fighting Properties

Olive oil contains high levels of antioxidants, which are known for their ability to help prevent cancer-causing cells.

It is believed olive oil is particularly useful for helping to fight cancers of the digestive tract and breasts. The ingredient responsible for these powerful cancer-fighting skills is known as oleocanthal, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory found in non-refined olive oils.

More research is still being carried out into the potential of olive oil for preventing cancer, but the current research certainly looks hopeful.

Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Oleocanthal found in olive oil also acts as an anti-inflammatory, in much the same way as anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.

What’s more, oleocanthal is actually quite rare and is not found in many other foods. Olive oil is particularly effective for those that suffer from painful inflammation with conditions such as arthritis, as it can help to reduce swelling and inflammation around the joints.

There is also a range of other anti-inflammatory properties that have been found to be present in olive oil aside from oleocanthal, such as oleuropein aglycone and hydroxytyrosol.

Supports Memory And Brain Function

Olive oil is quickly becoming considered a “brain food” due to its ability to help ward off a decline in brain function. For example, olive oil has been linked to lower levels of dementia in countries that consume high amounts of olive oil.

There are also lower levels of depression and better memory function. This is believed to be due to the high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols in olive oil, which reduce the oxidization that takes place in the brain’s cells.

This prevents cells from degenerating as quickly, therefore improving brain health and preventing degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. It also helps to reduce free radicals, and another major concern is the damage to brain cells.

What’s more, it’s actually believed to aid in the repair of brain cells and improve levels of healthy brain chemicals helping to boost mental health and better brain function for memory and learning capabilities.

Improves The Health Of Skin

You may have heard that rubbing olive oil into your skin can help it to appear softer, more hydrated, and generally healthier in appearance. But what is in olive oil that causes this?

Well, firstly, you don’t have to rub olive oil onto the skin to see the benefits it can provide. Consuming more olive oil in your diet has the same effect, improving the health of the skin from the inside out.

2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil a day, either consumed as part of your diet or applied to your skin, can provide a host of benefits. Olive oil holds anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammation and puffiness and promote skin cell repair.

It also helps reduce signs of ageing such as wrinkles, dehydration, and uneven skin tone.

It’s important to bear in mind, however, that olive oil might not suit some skin types, particularly if applied to the face. This is because excess oil build-up can cause clogged pores and encourage the growth of blackheads and acne.

Quantity Of Olive Oil Needed Daily To Receive Benefits

When considering the health benefits of olive oil, it’s important to note that this is based on the use of high-quality, extra virgin olive oil. Lower quality, more refined oils will not provide the same health benefits that purer olive oils can.

When choosing olive oil, make sure to choose one that is unprocessed and has no additives. It’s also worth noting that you don’t need to consume large quantities of olive oil to receive its benefits.

No more than 3-4 tablespoons need to be consumed a day. Using larger quantities of it, as with anything, can become fattening and increase your calorie intake.

Although olive oil contains healthy monosaturated fatty acids rather than unhealthy fats, it should still be consumed in moderation alongside a healthy balanced diet including other nutrients to get the most benefit.

Olive oil can be a good option for replacing other oils or fats in your diet to gain more nutritional benefits.

Summary

Consumed in moderation, olive oil can potentially reduce your risk of heart disease, improve your brain health and much more.

Make sure to go for extra virgin olive oil for maximum health benefits, as the minimal processing it undergoes means extra virgin olive oil retains more of its healthy natural properties.

For a high quality extra virgin olive oil, check out our award-winning Greek olive oil selection HERE